SentriLock

[Free Download] Data Security and Privacy Toolkit for Your Business
We all know how important it is to protect our personal data, but do you have a plan in place to protect your client's confidential, personal information? As a fiduciary, you have a responsibility to protect your client's information, such as social security number, bank account information, credit card information, driver's license, and even tax return information. Think of the damage that can occur if your client's information falls into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is important that you and your brokerage have a data security and privacy plan in place. Each state has its own definition of "personal information," so be sure to do your due diligence and check with your state's laws. The National Association of REALTORS® has created a Data Security and Privacy Toolkit that provides you with tips and tools to help you and your business safeguard personal data, information on state laws, and even sample policies. Be proactive instead of reactive—create your own data security and privacy plan for your business! Download the Data Security and Privacy Toolkit To view the original article, visit the SentriLock

How Safe Is Your Office?
Realtors meet strangers everyday, which opens your office to potential dangers. Do you have steps in place to make sure you and your team are safe at work? Screen potential clients – Background check all potential buyers and sellers—they are essentially a stranger. Look for red flags in behavior and trust your gut feeling. Know who is in your office – Have a login procedure in place with a check-in and out. Take a copy of the client's identification and keep a record. Keep it professional – REALTORS® get to know their clients on a personal level. Avoid sharing personal information about where you live, family, or if you have vacation plans. Have a plan – No one wants to think about worst-case scenarios, but having a plan could save your life. Performing safety drills will prepare them to take cover effectively in case of an active shooting incident. Practice drills will also help your team identify useful items to barricade the doors, designate a "safe room," and develop an emergency contact system to check in with all staff and agents. Get to know the local police department – Your local law enforcement may have some great tips and suggestions on how to improve your office safety or offer training. Opt for technology with built-in safety features – Your phone is a great safety tool with built in features like GPS location and the ability to send an SOS message. In addition, your SentriKey® Real Estate App also has a built in feature that checks in with you regularly during a showing. For more information about safety training or safety tips, visit nar.realtor/safety or contact your local police department. To view the original article, visit the SentriLock

Smartphone Safety: 8 Tips to Protect Your Personal Information
In today's age of technology, most business is now conducted through your mobile computer--your smartphone. This also means you are vulnerable to digital theft if you do not have the right precautions in place. Here are eight tips to make sure your personal and financial information is locked down: The first thing you do when you get a new phone is set up your lock screen. This is not a step you want to bypass! This simple measure of security protects you from others who may have access to your phone. Enable fingerprint or facial recognition – Almost all smartphones now have this new technology to ensure only you have access to your phone's data. Update software – Old, outdated software is vulnerable to hackers and cyber scammers. New updates fix bugs and any potential security issues in prior versions. Back up your information – There are several reasons to back up your phone: theft, viruses, or your phone is damaged. Having a back up means you still have access to valuable information, and it can be transferred to another phone. Beware of public Wi-Fi – Most Wi-Fi hotspots are not encrypted. So anyone at the local coffee shop you are sharing Wi-Fi with can "eavesdrop" on the data you send and receive from your phone. Bluetooth – Hackers use specialized software to detect nearby devices who use Bluetooth technology. They find out your trusted networks and replicate them to trick your device into connecting to take control of your device. This technique is used to steal data, bombard your phone with malware and spyware, and read your apps and text messages. Do not share personal passwords and logins – This is just a best practice. Sharing passwords and logins can lead to your personal information getting into the wrong hands. Enable personal safety features – Almost all smartphones have a setting where you can input your personal safety. iPhone has Emergency SOS Mode, Medical ID & Emergency Contacts, and be sure to turn on FindMyiPhone. Android users should enable their Emergency Sharing and Safety Check, Lockdown Mode, and make sure to activate Find My Device. Users of SentriLock can also rely on safety features within the SentriKey Real Estate App. To access this feature, log in to your app and select My Settings, then select Agent Safety. When you open a lockbox, the Agent Safety feature will automatically notify your emergency contact when you do not or cannot confirm your safety. It will check in regularly to ensure you are safe on the job. Safety starts with you, so make sure to practice smartphone security and enable safety features in your phone to make sure you are safe. To view the original article, visit the SentriLock